Apparatus for opening out multiple-wire cable or the like applicable to the formation of blocks on such cable.



A. DOXFORD. APPARATUS FOR OPENING OUT MULTIPLE WIRE CABLE 0R THE LIKEAPPLICABLE TO THE FORMATION 0F BLOCKS 0N SUCH CABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.10, 1911.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR l A. DOXFORD. APPARATUS FOR OPENING OUT MULTIPLE WIRE CABLE ORTHE LIKE APPLICABLE T0 THE FORMATION 0F BLOCKS ON SUCH CABLE.

` APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1911. 1,039,368.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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mvEN'roR 4 (9N y ,y @tie M cum- ARTHUR DOXFORD, OF SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR OPENING OUT MULTIPLE-WIRE CABLE OR THE LIKE APPLICABLE TOTHE FORMATION OF BLOCKS 0N SUCH CABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 10, 1911. Serial No. 601,902.

To all lwho/ml it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ARTHUR DOXFORD, a subject of the King of England,residing at Sunderland, Durham, England, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Apparatus for Opening Out Multiple-Tire Cables orthe LikeApplicable to the Formation of Blocks on Such Cables, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to apparatus foropening out multiple wire cable or the like applicable to the formationof blocks on such cable.

The apparatus is primarily intended to assist in the formation onelevator cables of the blocks that constitute the Subject-mattei' of myapplication Serial No. 601,901, filed January 10, 1911, but the sameapparatus maybe used for other purposes in which a block or other partis to be connected to a stranded cable or the like by casting.

According to one feature of this `invention, there is employed with aixed vise, or other gripping device, a rotatable grippingl device thatis opposed to the first for the purpose of holding the cable and openingout the wires or strands by twisting it in the direction opposed to thelay of the wires or strands, as described in the specification abovereferred to.

In conjunction with the two gripping devices, means may be employed formaintaining the length of cable that lies between one portion that hasbeen opened out, and the next portion that is to be thus treated, in anextended state, so that the length of cable between one opened outportion and that next to be formed, may be adjusted to a predeterminedlength.

Another feature of the invention consists in employing` with thegripping devices spacing means situated between the fixed vise and amold that for the purpose of casting blocks is placed around that partof the cable previously opened out.

By maintaining the length of cable that is being handled and parts ofwhich are being treated in an extended state and providing spacing meansbetween the fixed vise and the mold for casting the block, the blocksmay be all placed at accurate distances apart, which is of greatimportance if they are to engage the driving wheels of the elevator, orcoperate with other mechanism.

Means may be provided for maintaining in an extended state that portionof the eable which lies on that side of the mold remote from the fixedvise, and further spacing means may also be employed between the moldand the block which has been previously cast.

The invention may readily be employed in connection with multiple wirecables of the kind in which every wire is wound in one and the samedirection, one on top of another, as if the finished rope were intendedto form a strand only of a larger cable. Obviously, however, theinvention may also be applied to other kinds of cable.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a longitudinal section througha machine constructedaccording to this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan ofthe same; Fig. 3 is a section on the line of Fig. 2; Fig. 4; is asection on the line L1--41 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig.V 2; and Fig. (3 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The apparatus is carried by six pedestals A supported upon a base A1.Upon the left-hand pair of pedestals is a casting B having in it aU-shaped recess B1 open at the top. Two jaws O C1, each having a centralgroove are placed face to face and held together by bolts and nuts C2.The jaws have a journaled end C3 which lies in the U-shaped recess B1 ofthe casting B and a wedge B2 passing through orifices in the castingextends across the recess above the journaled end so that the jaws canrotate in the recess but cannot be lifted therefrom.

Patented Sept. 24, 19.12. Y

One of the jaws has laterally extending arms D whereby they may berotated.

Carried on the two right-hand pairs of pedestals is a table composed ofthree sections E, E1, E2 held together by longitudinal side members E3.These members are flanged as at E3X and may be bolted to the pedestals.The three sections are interrupted by gaps or spaces in which certainoperations, hereinafter described can be performed and a thirdinterruption or space occurs between the section E and the casting B.

On the upper face and at the left-hand end of the table-section E is agripping jaw F clamped to the table by bolts and nutsv F1. The table hasa central longitudinal groove and the jaw F has a corresponding grooveand is let into the surface of the table so members E2.

that it may grip the cable when laid in the groove on the table. Theleft-hand end of the table-section E therefore constitutes a jaw-pieceF2 that coperates with the jaw F after the manner of a pair of vise-jawsand these jaws are opposed to the jaws C C1.

To the right of the jaws F F2 and on the upper face of the table-sectionE is a clamping plate G. This is hinged at G1 and is not grooved butlies over a longitudinal groove in the table section E. The free end ofthis clamping plateA is secured by a handled nut G2 carried on a hingedscrewthreaded bolt G2. The plate G is recessed at G4 to allow the boltG3 to swing into and out of the fastening position without removing thenut G2.

Between the table sections E and E1 a space H is left to receive atwo-part mold or casing J J1 which is secured in endwise position by awedge J2 and in vertical position by wedges J 2 driven through the Thetable section El carries a second clamping plate Gx which, with itsassociated parts is practically the same as the clamping plate G and itsparts and therefore need not be described in detail.

A second space H1 is provided between the table sections El and E2 forthe accommodation of another two-part mold or casing held in place bywedges as already described with the mold J J1.

The operation of this machine is as follows r-The clamping plates G GXare swung back and the upper vise jaws C and F are removed so that thecable can be laid along the center of the machine entering t-he groovesin the bottom vise jaws C1 and F 2; all the table sections E E1 and E2are also provided with a central longitudinal groove to receive thecable. The jaws C and F are now placed in position and the securing nutsscrewed home so that the cable is firmly gripped at these two points andthe wedge B2 is placed in position to prevent the aws C C1 from ridingoutof the casting B. The jaws C C1 are now rotated by means of the HarmsD in a direction opposite to the lay of the cable and as the jaws F F2are stationary and hold their portion of the cable firmly. the cablewill be bird-caged or` opened out as shown at X1. This having been done,the jaw F is removed and the jaw C removed or loosened so that the cablecan be fed forward until the part X1 is brought to the space H. Atwo-part mold or casing J J1 such as described in my patentspecification above referred to is then placed around the part X1 andsecured in endwise position by the wedge J2 and in vertical position bythe wedges J3. The two parts of the mold may be temporarily heldtogether in any convenient manner. The clamping plate G is now swungdown over the cable and secured by its nut and bolt G2 G2 and the jaws Fand C are again made to grip the new portion of cable. It will be seenthat the clamping plate insures that vthe portion of cable lying betweenthe jaw F and the mold J shall be retained in an extended state so thatwhen the jaws C C1 are again rotated, to bird-cage the second portion ofthe cable, this second portion shall lie at a predetermined distancefrom the mold surrounding the first portion. While bird-caging thesecond portion, the molten metal is run into the mold so that a solidblock is formed in and around the first bird-caged portion as describedin my patent specification already referred to. The cable is now againadvanced by releasing the clamping plate and jaws C and F and .the newlyformed block with the mold or casing around it is brought to the spaceH1, the second bird-caged portion being brought to the space H ready tohave a block formed upon it. if the mold is intended to form the finalcasing for the block it is permanently riveted to the block while in thespace H1 but otherwise the mold is removed and a casing substituted andriveted in place at this point.

Preferably the mold or casing is wedged in position in the space H1 asin the space H and the second clamping plate GX is secured down over thecable to hold the portion of cable between the two blocks in an extendedstate. The riveting of the mold or casing may be effected while a thirdportion of the cable is being bird-caged and the second portion ishaving its block cast upon it. The next advance of the cable will carrythe finished block with its casing out from the space H1 beyond theapparatus as shown at X2 and the process may be repeated until therequired number of blocks has been formed upon the cable.

In some instances it may be more convenient to rivet the casings to theblocks while they are in the position X2 instead of in the space H1.rlhe riveting of the mold or casing would then of course be effectedwhile a fourth portion of the cable was being bird-caged and a thirdportion having its block cast upon it.

Preferably the jaws C C1 and F F2 only grip the cable close to thepoints where the opening out or bird-caging is to be effected.

It will be understood that the apparatus described with reference to thedrawings is only given by way of example as many modifications may bemade in detail without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as mv invention and desire .to secure by Letters Patent isl. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, a secondcable-gripping device opposed f to and spaced away from the first andrevoliibly mounted in the support, means for revolving the secondgripping device in such direction as to open the wires between the twogripping devices and means for regulating the length of cable betweenthe stationary grip and a previously opened portioii of the cable, sothat the process may be repeated regularly and continuously.

2. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wii'e cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the first andrevolubly mounted in the support, means for revolving the secondgripping device to open the wires between the tvo gripping devices, atable supporting the fixed gi'ip and provided with gaps other than thespace beltions of the cable said blocks being partly formcd in a moldand subsequently sur- 5 rounded by an independent casing the comtweenthe fixed and movable grips across which the cable can be extended andmeans for regulating the length et' cable between the stationary gripand a previously opened portion of the cable.

An apparatus Jfor forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables,comprising a table, a fixed grip connected to said table, a supportadjacent to said table, a second gripping device rotatably mounted onsaid support and spaced from the fixed grip, means for rotating saidsecond grip, said table having a plurality of openings spaced apart fromeach other and from the fixed grip for receiving molds siiiroiinding thecable; substantially as described.

1t. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the first andrevolubly mounted in the support, means for revolving the secondgripping device to open the wires between the two gripping devices,means for regulating the length of cable held between the stationarygrip and a prel blocks on multiple wire cables wherein the i drivingblocks are formed by enlarged porviously opened portion of the cable sothat the process may be repeated regularly and continuously and meansfor maintaining such length of cable in an extended state.

In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a sup-- port, asecondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the first andrevolubiy mounted in the support, means for revolving the secondgripping device to open the wires between the two gripping devices, a.table supporting the fixed grip and divided into sections affording agap between each section and the one adjacent to it and Y a device formaintaining in an extended state the length of cable held between thestationary grip and a previously opened portion of the cable.

G. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced awav from the first andrevo- `lubly mounted in the support, means for revolving the secondgripping device to open the wires between the two gripping devices, VaTable supporting the fixed grip and di- 4 vided into sections afl'ordinga gap between each section and the one adjacent to it, means formaintaining in an extended state ,the length of' cable held between thestationary grip and a previously opened porltion of' the cable, and asecond device for maintaining in an extended state a similar andadjacent portion of the cable.

7. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cableswherein thc driving blocks are formed by enlarged porbination of, afixed cable-gripping device, a support, a second cable-gripping deviceopposed to and spaced away from the first and revoliibly mounted in thesupport,

means for revolving the second gripping device to open the wires betweenthe two gripping devices, and means for holding the mold at apredetermined length from l that portion of the cable being opened.

8. An apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables,comprising a g table, a fixed grip connected to said table, a supportadjacent to said table, a second I gripping device rotatably mounted onsaid support and spaced from the fixed grip, Ameans for rotating saidsecond grip, said table having a plurality of openings spaced 1 apartfrom each other and from the fixed :grip for receiving molds surroundingthe cable, and ineansifor securing said molds within said openings;substantially as described.

9. In apparatus for forming driving tions of the cable said blocks beingpartly lformed in a mold and subsequently sui'- rounded by anindependent casing the com-` bination of, a fixed cable-gripping device,a support, a second cable-gripping device opposed to and spaced awayfrom the firstand revolubly mounted in the support, means for revolvingthe second gripping device to open the wires between the two `grippingdevices, means for holding the mold and easing on their respective cableenlargements, and means for holding the mold and a casing previouslyapplied to the cable in definite positions relatively to one another andto that portion of the cable being opened 10. In apparatus for formingdriving blocks on multiple wire cabes wherein the driving blocks areformed by enlarged por` tions of the cable each surrounded by anindependent casing (said casing and en` larged portion being filled withmolten metal) the combination of, a fixed cablegripping device, asupport, a second cablegripping device opposed to and spaced away fromthe first and revolubly mounted in the support, means for revolving thesecond gripping device to open the wires between the two grippingdevices, means for holding a casing in position to be filled jwith.molten metal and other means for holding in position a casing alreadyap` plied to the cable both holding means being fixed in a definiteposition relatively to the portion of the cable being opened.

11. ln apparatus for forming driving blocks o-n multiple wire cableswherein the driving blocks are formed by enlarged portions of the cableeach surrounded by an independent casing (said casingand enlargedportion being filled with molten metal) the combination of, a fixedcablegripping device, a support, a second cablegripping device opposedto and spaced away from the first and revolubly mounted in t-he support,means for revolving said second gripping device to open the wiresbetween the two gripping devices, a table supporting the fixed grippingdevice and divided into sections affording a gap be` tween each sectionand the one adjacent to it and means for holding the driving bloei;casings already applied to the cable in defi` nite positions in the gapsin the table relatively to that portion of the cable being opened.

12. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cableswherein the driving blocks are formed by enlarged portions of the cableeach surrounded by an independent casing (said casing and enlargedportion being filled with molten metal) the combination of, a fixedcablegripping device, a support, a second cablegripping device opposedto and spaced away from the first and revolubly mounted in the support,means for revolving said second gripping device to open the wiresbetween the two gripping devices, a table support-ing the fixed grippingdevice and divided into sections affording a gap between each sectionand the one adjacent to it, means for holding a casing in position to befilled with molten metal and other means for holding in position acasing already applied to the cable both holding means being fixed in adefinite position relatively to the portion of the cable being opened.

13.111 apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cableswherein the driving blocks are formed by enlarged portions of the cableeach surrounded by an independent casing (said casing and enlargedportion being filled with molten metal) the combination of, a fixedcable-gripping device, a support, a second cable-gripping device opposedto and spaced away from the first and revolubly mounted in the support,means for revolving said second gripping device to open the wiresbetween the two gripping devices, a table supporting the fixed grippingdevice and divided into sections affording a gap between each sectionand the one adjacent to it, means fixed on the table section formaintaining in an extended state the length of cable held between thatportion between the clamping devices and a previously opened portion ofthe cable, a second device for maintaining in an extended state asimilar andv adjacent portion of the cable, means for holding a casingin position to be filled with molten metal and other means for holdingin position a casing already applied to the cable, bot-h holding meansbeing fixed in a definite position relatively to the portion of thecable being opened.

14. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables, thecombination of a fixed cable-gripping device, 'a support, two jawshaving on each the half of av trunnion divided longitudinally, saidtrunnion revolving in the support and said jaws comprising a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixed grip,and means for revolving the second gripping device.

15. in apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables, thecombination of a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, two jaws havingon each the half of a trunnion divided longitudinally, said trunnionrevolving in the support and said jaws comprising a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixed grip,and arms secured to and projecting from the jaws whereby they may berevolved.

16. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables, thecombination of a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, two jaws eachhaving a trunnion and revolving in the support, said jaws comprising asecond cable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixedgrip, arms secured to and projecting from the jaws whereby they may berevolved, a

table supporting the fixed grip and provided with gaps across which thecable can be extended, means for regulating the length of cable heldbetween the stationary grip and a previously opened portion of thecable, a plate hinged to the table, and means for closing and holdingthe plate in position on such length of cable to maintain it in anextended state.

17. In apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a fixed cable-gripping device, a support, two jaws eachhaving a trunnion end revolving in the support said jaws comprising asecond cable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixedgrip, arms secured to and projecting from the jaws whereby they may berevolved, a table supporting the fixed grip and provided with gapsacross which the cable can be extended, means for regulating the lengt-hof cable held between the stationary grip and a previously openedportion of the cable, a plate hinged to the table and means for closingand holding the plate in position on such length of cable to maintain itin an extended state.

1S. ln apparatus for forming driving blocks on multiple wire cables thecombination of, a ixed cable-gripping device, a support, two jaws eachhaving a trunnion end revolving in the support said jaws comprising asecond cable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixedgrip, arms secured to and project-ing from the jaws whereby they may berevolved, a table supporting the fixed grip and provided with gapsacross which the cable can be extended, means for regulating the lengthof cable held between the stationary grip and a previously openedportion of the cable, a

plate hinged to the table having a groove between 1t and the table toreceive t-he'cablc and means for closing and holdmg the plate inposition on such length of cable to )ort two 'aws each havin@ a trunnionend 40 revolving in the support said jaws comprising a secondcable-gripping device opposed to and spaced away from the fixed grip,arms secured to and projecting from the jaws whereby they may berevolved, a table having` a groove to receive the cable and providedwith gaps across which the cable can be extended, means for regulatingthe length of cable held between the stationary grip and a previouslyopened portion of the cable, a plate hinged to the table and means torclosing and holding the plate in position on such length of cable tomaintain it in an extended condition.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 50 name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribmg witnesses.

ARTHUR DOXFORD.

fitnesses H. NlxoN, FRED. H. DUKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

